If you attended at least part of at least 5 months in 2020, you COULD be considered a student for dependent purposes; Therefore, if you attended school at any time in January through any time at all in May, you could be claimed by your parents on their return if you did not supply more than half your own support.
Please click this link to see if you are a dependent
IRS has two definitions for being a student, one for a Taxpayer (such as your parents) to claim you and another to receive the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
To be "at least half-time" for the credit:
According to the IRS:
“For at least one academic period beginning (or treated as beginning) in 2020, the student both: a. Was enrolled in a program that leads to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential; and b. Carried at least one-half the normal full-time workload for his or her course of study. The standard for what is half of the normal full-time workload is determined by each eligible educational institution. However, the standard may not be lower than any of those established by the U.S. Department of Education under the Higher Education Act of 1965.”
To answer your question about the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
NO, it is NOT part of YOUR stimulus payment,
YES, you MUST reduce the amount of education expenses by the amount of the tax-free grant if it was paid to you or to the school on your behalf (to your specific school account) and not just to the school in general. If it is not listed on your 1098-T, enter the amount of the grant when the TurboTax program asks if you received any other aid not reported on a W2.
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